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Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain, $39

By on September 27, 2015

Côtes de Ciel-2012-Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot BottleCuttings from historic Inglenook in Napa as well as French-trademarked ENTAV-INRA 348 and ENTA-INRA 181 clones seem well-suited for Washington’s remarkable Red Mountain, and Richard Holmes’ winemaking offers a Merlot with a sense of hedonism. Heady aromas of black cherry with exotic notes of vanilla extract, cardamom and anise. Black cherry and black currant jam flavors make for a bold entry that’s framed by sandy tannins, backed by black licorice and a pinch of white pepper. The family ships to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Washington D.C.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 343 cases

Alcohol: 15.6%

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Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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